Apparently this has been going on for a long time according to the report apparently the Repulse & Prince Of Wales have been salvaged.
Also the HMAS Perth has been partly salvaged but they will probably be back for the rest of it reports indicate possibly China as the culprit.
Surely there is an international body/law forbidding touching these known WW grave sites then again why would China worry.
I cannot fathom the depravity of humans at times how would they like it if westerners went in and started wrecking all their family tombs for gold & silver etc.
That's what these wrecks are tombs for those that gave us our freedom they need to sanction China as they have Russia.
But as allot have found out a fair few countries have China's hooks into them through trade agreements which is important to their GDP.
Why are ppl like this so unscrupulous.
There is plenty on youtube about this, I only just stumbled across it today.......!
I understand the Malayan/Singaporean Governments seized a Chinese salvage ship. What are they going to do make them put it back............damage done. Seize THEIR ship and break it up.
They knew what they were thieving valuable steel without deposits, used when ships were made to last.
RIP to all those lads disturbed since WW2, who shouldnt have been there had Churchill provided the air cover they requested at the time.
'Tonight my men and I have been through hell and back again, but the look on your faces when we let you out of the hall - we'd do it all again tomorrow.' Major Chris Keeble's words to Goose Green villagers on 29th May 1982 - 2 PARA
Yes that part of the war decision will always be debated Gil along with England abandoning their promise to come to our aid with the undertones of the Japanese spoiling for expansion.
To read about this promise I suggest you get the book by David Day called "The Great Betrayal" its a pretty interesting read.
I'm probably in the minority here but I view any ship lying on the floor of the ocean as a massive waste of resources. Should they be stolen, no, should some of the history be preserved, yes. Are they graveyards, not really, any bodies are most likely long gone and navies around the world bury their dead at sea in any case. If it doesn't happen now, it will eventually. The dead's souls are hopefully in a better place. We've excavated wrecks since we've had the ability to do so, I don't see much difference with a more modern wreck,
I'd like to see the bells, the nameplates, and perhaps other small mementoes preserved and presented to the country of origin for them to do what they wish with them. If family members wish to memorialize or visit something, they could visit these displays, they sure aren't likely to visit the shipwreck site.
There are exceptions due to specific circumstances, say the Arizona and the Utah at Pearl Harbort. The Arizona is a proper memorial visited by millions, the Utah is not, even though it is nearby, raise it and scrap it.
I'm also not in favor of sinking ships for artificial reefs, just seems like a massive waste to me.
Sadly, most people of today and definitely those who are under the age of 50 probably have no idea of what the names "Repulse" and "Prince of Wales" represent and the sacrifices of their crews. I have students in the college classes I teach who have never heard of "Pearl Harbor."
The air cover is a little more complicated than Churchill . The carrier Indomitable was sent to give air cover but ran aground and had to go for repairs . Phillips thought his ships could handle the Japanese aircraft , so he went . He also did not ask for RAF air cover , which was waiting for his call .
Cinders,
I have indeed read David Days book THE GREAT BETRAYAL. This was bad enough but I am disgusted to have read so many more betrayals to Commonwealth Countries including India in my lifetime as an author of history for my Regiment The Parachute Regiment, of which we have a few that we can never be proud of.
I lived in Singapore for many years as my father was in the Military, and I have been back a number of times in the Army, as well as attending commemoration ceremonies in the jungle to honour our fallen in recent conflicts, the last being 2015.
We can NEVER be proud of letting you guys down, but I make no apologies for the Commanders of the day, it certainly wouldn't have happened under my watch.
So annoying and would have been so easily rectified, had people at the top known the full story and available air power and resources.
LEST WE FORGET
'Tonight my men and I have been through hell and back again, but the look on your faces when we let you out of the hall - we'd do it all again tomorrow.' Major Chris Keeble's words to Goose Green villagers on 29th May 1982 - 2 PARA
Cinders the Chinese don’t seem to care about our history and military graves , it could also be why they arm thier fishing fleet s with weapons . My uncles father was on the HMAS Perth when it was sunk he wa s last seen on a life boat but was never a POW so more than like;ly he is at the bottom of the ocean with th e Perth ,